Page 62 of Gift from the Nexus

“I know.”

“We’ll give you a few minutes, but mark my words, you attempt any fucking thing, you’ll be dead where you sit,” Tillman says menacingly to Trex while he places his hand on Caspian’s shoulder, telling him the plan.

There’s a slight hesitation to all of them as they walk back through the barrier, each of them giving me long, worried looks, but seconds merely pass when I feel the energy change, knowing they’ve already come back in and are hiding under the cover of darkness.

Trex doesn’t speak. We just stare at one another for an uncomfortable second before I finally break the silence.

“Will you come sit? I have some questions.”

“If I move, can I expect to die within a few seconds?” he asks, arching a smart-ass brow.

“No, just don’t make any sudden moves toward me,” I say with a small twitch on my lips, knowing both Caspian and Draken are looking for an excuse.

Slowly, he rises from his bed and makes his way over to the table, seating himself just as gradually. His eyes roam all over me, both surprise and a small touch of relief evident when he doesn’t see any of the damage done to my body. Honestly, his reaction confuses the fuck out of me.

“What are you doing, Trex?” I ask.

“That’s a pretty stupid opening question. I’m imprisoned obviously.”

I don’t hide my frustration in the sigh I release, rolling my eyes because I see he’s right back to his bullshit.

“Maybe letting them leave the room was a mistake if all you’ve got to say is your smart-aleck shit. I’m trying to help you, not go around and around with you. For five seconds, could you be serious and not a wishy-washy asshole?” I snap, letting my anger get the best of me quickly.

My chest slightly heaves as I’m flooded with calm and patience, dousing the rising tide of my temper. I close my eyes momentarily, soaking in everything Tillman’s sending me, knowing if Trex tries to take advantage of my small pause, the guys will destroy him, no questions asked.

When I finally glance back at him, he’s studying me curiously, trying his hardest to pick me apart, and I do the same.

“Help me.” He chuffs, a fictitious laugh falling out of him before he carries on, “What do I get out of any of this? Telling you all my secrets. From where I’m sitting, it looks like it’s going to be another one-way deal where I come out the loser in the end.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.

“It means I’m already a pawn to the Mastery and anything you attempt to promise me is only going to put me right back in the same position, just a different side.” He snarls, at last showing some sort of emotion rather than indifference.

“Did you willingly choose this?”

“Yes and no.”

“That’s not—”

“That’s the only answer you’re going to get until you can promise me more than they did. I need guarantees, not fancy words or gruesome threats.”

“Ask him what he wants, princess, but don’t promise anything. Just hear what he wants. We’ll decide what to do from there.”

Corentin’s words cause me to snap my mouth shut from the barrage of questions I was about to spew.

“I can’t promise you anything if I don’t even know what it is you want.”

“Have you learned about a spell called The Vow since you arrived here?” he asks contemplatively.

“No, I don’t believe so.” It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s somewhere in my journal, but it’ll take decades to go through all of that.

“It’s a binding spell. Not like the kind that was threatened against you, but one that ties two people together based on a vow they make to one another.”

“And?”

“Make a vow with me.”

“No.”

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